Specialized training also provides capabilities in language fluency necessary for crossing cultural barriers, allowing CSOs to connect with local forces and civilians.

Conquering all obstacles of mind, body and spirit, the honor and pride of serving in Special Operations will be my driving force.

This phase is used mostly to determine physical fitness to serve as a Marine Raider[10] and includes running, swimming and ruck marches.

The course also incorporates classroom instruction and practical application of basic Marine Corps knowledge and MARSOC and Special Operations Forces fundamentals.

[4] ITC uses a building block approach in which the training rigor is systematically increased to mimic the complexity and stresses of combat.

Field skills including navigation, patrolling, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE), Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), mission planning, fire support training and communications round out Phase 1.

In Phase 3, students are trained in rifle and pistol combat marksmanship, mechanical, explosive breaching, and learn tactics, techniques, and procedures needed during unilateral assault operations.

This phase culminates in student planned and executed full mission profile precision raids on rural and urban objectives during “Operation Guile Strike”.

Those selected for language training could face 36 to 52 weeks of school depending on aptitude, the needs of his unit and the deployment cycle stage of his team.

CSOs may qualify for advanced training and certifications in areas such as foreign language and emergency medical care based on future assignments.

The MSOS also offers advanced-level courses in a number of subject areas: special reconnaissance, close-quarters battle, sniper, breaching and weapons employment.

When Det One, the pilot program for MARSOC, was officially activated in 2003, there were concerns that Marines would not have the specific weapons, body armor, optics and other personal protective equipment required for their tasks.

The same or closely similar state-of-the-art equipment would be necessary to enable any future detachment to be interoperable and sufficiently able to conduct special operations with other SOCOM units.